Sinn Custom Home Client - St. Louis Business Journal's How To Choose a Homebuilder

In 2008, Sinn Design-Build built a beautiful custom home for the Squitieri family. Recently, the St. Louis Business Journal asked Mr. Squitieri to participate in a feature story about choosing a homebuilder. Here's what Mr. Squitieri had to say in an exerpt from the article:

"Bernie Squitieri, president and CEO of Express Medical Transporters, said he and his wife, Carla, visited homes to look at the builders' quality of workmanship. 'Once we determined quality, we wanted references to ask about service level and responsiveness,' he said.

Determine if the homebuilder will use union or nonunion contractors, Squitieri said, and get references on subcontractors. Set a budget and decide 90 percent of what you want at the outset to minimize change orders and added expense, he said. The Squitieris didn't decide to finish the basement until after their Sunset Hills home was already under way, but their builder was accommodating. 'Our house is far from cookie cutter,' he said.

Have an attorney review your contract, and use a title company to make disbursements to the builder from escrow, Squitieri said. Consider a performance bond and be sure to get lien waivers.

But Squitieri said there's no substitute for getting to know your homebuilder over lunch. 'You just have to feel comfortable with the people building your home.'"

From the St. Louis Business Journal, by Diana Barr: July 17-23